Jane-Ann McKenna: Amid global crises fragile countries need greater support, not for the EU to cut funding

Rising poverty and hunger levels are set against a backdrop of mounting debt burdens and increasingly frequent climate shocks, and the need for collective action and scaled investment to urgently address these challenges has rarely been more acute. However, despite this, the EU is veering towards a more closed stance focused on competition and not collaboration, driven by short-term economic self-interest.

Earlier this year, the European Council decided to cut at least €2bn in funding to Global Europe – the principal tool for the EU’s international co-operation – mainly to fund Ukraine and internal migration. With these measures, hopes of an increase to aid budgets to meet the ever-growing humanitarian and development needs were dashed. Not only are we not keeping pace with the funding needed, a 10pc reduction of the international co-operation budget was announced last week, with cuts across the different programmes and thematic areas including human rights, peace-building and civil-society space, primarily in Africa.

These cuts could have devastating consequences to the people who need help the most, in particular those living in fragile contexts – almost a quarter of the world’s population.

Crises are becoming more complex, recurrent and protracted. Humanitarian action alone cannot be the solution. Development actors have a key role to play in these contexts at the earliest stage – to build resilience and prevent situations from spiralling into humanitarian disasters. In a time of increasing global crises and inequalities, it is those in fragile countries that require even greater support.

These cuts are a clear warning sign of things to come. The recent leaking of the briefing book for the incoming International Partnerships EU Commissioner reflects a pattern that has been evident for the last few years. The EU’s international co-operation budget is being used as an instrument to advance geopolitical and primarily foreign policy objectives.

We are concerned that the EU specifically deprioritises programmes in countries where the EU has a weak relationship with the national authorities. Yet, it is precisely in the most fragile and difficult contexts that engagement and aid must be maintained. It is the communities who are most vulnerable, and are unable to access basic services, who will suffer most. It is important now more than ever that we look to global co-operation and solidarity, rather than self-interest.

The leaked European Commission briefing book suggested a “first mover” agenda-­setting for a harder approach among some EU policy-makers. However, we believe Ireland can play a key role in pushing back on this agenda.

Ireland has a strong credible voice in Brussels. We have a reputation of being forward-looking and not inward-looking. With the convening power we have, we should build a coalition of the willing to defend development and international climate action in the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework budget, which will form a key part of the lead-up to Ireland’s EU presidency.

The Irish Government must work to ensure that the integrity and long-term objectives of EU development co-operation are in line with Irish foreign policy values as well as the EU’s legal and political commitment to humanitarian and sustainable development. We must put the well-being of people and the planet in the centre of decision-making for sustainable development that is aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

Today, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen visits Dublin. The Irish Government must, in the strongest terms, ensure that our foreign policy values, and principled approach to development and humanitarian assistance are reflected in the EU’s Development Co-operation instrument.

Jane-Ann McKenna is the CEO of Dóchas, the Irish Network for International Development and Humanitarian Organisations